Art & Photography

Click Here to take a look at some examples of our Art & Photography, including a number of award winning pieces.

Key Stage 3

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. As providers of a high quality art and design education we engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

This course follows on from Key Stage 2. It develops students’ abilities to understand how to look at the visual world of Art and Design. Students will learn how to investigate and make Art and Art objects. Students will undertake a wide variety of activities in two and three dimensions and look at the world around them, including the work of other artists and cultures. They will draw, paint, print, construct, use clay and make collages. Homework is set as preparation, reflection or evaluation work and should take 30 minutes to complete every week.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Fine Art & Art, Craft & Design

Vibrant and dynamic, this specification gives staff the freedom to teach GCSE Art and Design in ways that inspire and bring out the best in all our students, whilst equipping them with the skills to continue the subject with confidence at AS, A-level and beyond.

With two components, comprising a ‘Portfolio’ selected from the course of study and an ‘Externally set assignment’, the specification provides our students with a range of creative, exciting and stimulating opportunities to develop and explore their personal interests in art and design.

It allows for progression from Key Stage 3 whilst providing a strong foundation for further study at AS and A-level as well as vocational pathways. To support this progression, the assessment objectives, structure and titles are very similar to those detailed in the AS and A-level Art and Design specification.

The specification has been designed to allow students to develop knowledge and understanding during the course through a variety of learning experiences and approaches, including engagement with sources. This will allow them to develop the skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas.

Students will demonstrate these skills through the development, refinement, recording, realisation and presentation of their ideas through a portfolio and by responding to an externally set assignment.

Art, Craft & Design

This title promotes learning across a variety of experiences and through various processes, tools, techniques, materials and resources to generate different kinds of evidence of working and outcomes. Emphasis is on an increased breadth of approach commensurate in demand with the other titles. The context of practice, rather than the breadth of activities and/or range of media employed, determines whether a student’s work can be described as art-based, craft-based and/or design-based.

Fine Art

Fine art practice is defined here as the need to explore an idea, convey an experience or respond to a theme or issue of personal significance.

AREAS OF STUDY

In Component 1 and Component 2 students are required to work in one or more area(s) of fine art, such as those listed below:

Drawing

Painting

Sculpture

Installation

Printmaking

Mixed Media

Land art

They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas.

Key Stage 5

The CTEC introductory diploma is devised for students who are interested in Art and Design. The diploma and extended diploma are for students who are more attracted to a career in the Art and Design industry. Any of the above courses are devised so to prepare students for progression onto higher education.

COURSE CONTENT

The introductory diploma course is the equivalent to one A level, to be studied by combining it with two other A levels. The Diploma is equivalent to 2 A levels, it can be combined as art and photography, or you can study just Art. The extended diploma is a full time art course, worth 3 A levels, again, this can be combined with photography if desired.

Students learn by completing assignments that are based on realistic Art & Design studio and workplace scenarios, challenges and briefs. They are encouraged to realise their creative potential by applying their ideas, techniques and training to these problem solving assignments using a variety of different art practices. Critical and contextual studies of other artists’ work are also used to develop students’ practical and theoretical understanding.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

All work undertaken throughout the two year course counts towards the final grade, there is no examination element. Candidates can be awarded a Fail, Pass, Merit, Distinction for their work. All work is assessed internally, standardised internally and externally moderated.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Upon completing any of these courses, students could go into Higher Education to study at Foundation or possibly Degree Level in areas including Graphic Design, Advertising, Fashion Design, Textiles, Multimedia or Fine Art. Alternatively, students can use the qualification to enter into other areas of training.

A Level

Sleaford Joint Sixth Form offers the opportunity for students to study a general Art & Design AS Level where students develop their skills in a range of disciplines. AS Level is now a stand-alone course and does not contribute to the A Level. A Level is also a stand-alone course, however, it is advisable to complete AS Art first.

A LEVEL – AIMS OF THE COURSE

The AS and A Level course should help to provide you with a sound grounding of knowledge, skills and understanding and as a foundation for further study. Furthermore, you should be able to develop the capacity to work independently. Successful practice in AS and A Level Art and Design requires time and commitment. An important aspect is the need to develop effective skills in the handling of materials and an appreciation of the different techniques and processes used by the past experience of other artists and craftspeople.

AS COURSE CONTENT AND SKILLS REQUIRED

At AS students are introduced to a variety of experiences employing a range of media, processes and techniques appropriate to the chosen area of study:

AS Component 1-Portfolio Component - A collection of selected art work which is mainly produced in the first part of the course. The Portfolio should demonstrate experimentation with processes and techniques and include at least one extended project on an idea, concept, theme or issue of our choice from a selection given by your teacher.

AS Component 2-Externally Set Assignment – Around 1st February candidates are issued an assignment paper after which you will research a starting point chosen from a selection set by AQA. After the research period you will have ten consecutive hours of supervised and unaided time where you will be expected to complete your final piece or pieces. AS is completed at the end of April/early May.

A LEVEL COURSE OUTLINE

At A Level, candidates are required to build upon the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in AS with a greater depth of study: A Level Component 3- Personal Investigation – This is the coursework element of the A Level course and includes both an extended essay of 1000 to 3000 words and a practical project. You are expected to develop work in response to an Artist, art movement, idea, issue, concept or theme of your choice, your work must include written material of a critical analytical nature and must link to your practical project.

Your teachers will give you guidance on how to approach his aspect of the course but if possible you should have reasonable access to original work both in galleries and museums.

A Level Component 4 – Externally Set Assignment - In early February you will receive an exam paper set by AQA with eight possible starting points from which you will be expected to select one. A number of artists, designers and craftspeople are mentioned as a catalyst for your research. You should also extend your study by looking at other individuals that you find relevant to your chosen starting point. After a period of study and research you will have fifteen hours of supervised time where you will be expected to complete your assignment which must demonstrate your ability to research, develop ideas and make links with contextual work. You must bring together all these elements to a successful conclusion.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

The course is assessed by both examination and the submission of coursework. Your teachers will moderate and mark your work according to the grade criteria and boundaries set by AQA. An external moderator sent from the exam board will also mark your work. Component 1 and 3 are each worth 60% of the AS and A Level respectively, whereas Component 2 and 4, the externally set assignments are each worth 40% of the respective courses.

FURTHER STUDY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The A Level Art and Design (Fine Art) course is suitable for anyone interested in pursuing an Art Foundation or Design Course which can then lead to any number of Art and Design based degree courses. This qualification is useful should you wish to enter a career in a professional art arena. Possible career choices could include art therapist, fine artist, textile designer, architect, interior designer, print or fashion designer, art conservator, product designer, visual merchandiser, film director; theatre set designer, sign maker and animator to name but a few.

Extra-Curricular Provision

The department offers a wide variety of lunch and after school clubs. Whilst a list of activities is published each term, the rooms are usually open for independent study at all times. A specialist area is also set aside for Sixth form study.

The CTEC Introductory Diploma in photography allows those students with an interest in the subject to apply their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm and specialise in this area. It will give students the skills to go to university or seek employment in the industry.

COURSE CONTENT

The introductory diploma course is the equivalent to one A level, to be studied by combining it with two other A levels. This course can also be combined with an Art course if desired to make a diploma, worth 2 A levels.

The course is based around one mandatory unit alongside additional specialist units which enable students to choose and study particular Photography subject areas in depth. These areas could cover; digital photography, film-based photography, portrait photography, digital image creation and landscape photography. Critical and contextual studies of other photographers’ work are also used to develop students’ practical and theoretical understanding.

Students learn by completing assignments that are based on realistic photographic studio and workplace scenarios, challenges and briefs. They are encouraged to realise their creative potential by applying their ideas, techniques and training to these problem solving assignments using a variety of different practices.

This course boasts of having two fully equipped studios complete with an abundance of lighting equipment and cameras. We also have a brand new dark room for film based production.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

All work undertaken throughout the two year course counts towards the final grade, there is no examination element. Candidates can be awarded a Fail, Pass, Merit, Distinction for their work. All work is assessed internally, standardised internally and externally moderated. Assessment methods include portfolios, projects, presentations and essays. This is a two-year course equivalent to one A-Level.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Students can use the UCAS points to apply to Higher Education or choose to seek employment. Candidates are well prepared for applications to study photography related degrees at university or seek employment in the photographic industry.